Japanese Traditions
On this page, we introduce some aspects of Japanese traditions

Kabuki is the most well-known Japanese theatrical art

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Kabuki is the most well-known Japanese theatrical art in Japan.

They say it was started in Kyoto by Okuni, originally a maiden of the Izumo Shinto Shrine in the first Edo-era, about 400 years ago.

Kabuki is an all-round theatrical art consist of music, dance, acting, and so on. The costumes are beautiful and gorgeous. Actors wear uniquely exaggerated make-up called Kumadori which helps to express their characters. Kabuki is performed only by men, female impersonators play female roles.There are many kinds of programs: drama, comedy, tragedy, and so on.

Image drawing of Kumadori　for “Sukeroku” who is one of main
characters in "Sukeroku yukari-no edo-sakura ” or Sukeroku the Dandy

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In Kabuki performance there are many interesting aspects you can enjoy in addition to things mentioned above.

One of them is the structure of a theater. In a theater there are unique features like revolving stages called “Mawari-Butai” for quick scene changes, and trapdoors called “Seri” in the stage floor from which actors appear. The most unique feature is an extended passage through the audience called a “Hana-michi”; this makes an actor look impressive when he enters or exits, and it helps the audience's favorite actors feel closer.

Another attraction is the characteristic programs. The stories are usually easy to understand. They are sometimes emotional and sometime funny. In many of them, the unique characteristics of the Japanese are reflected.

There are some famous and standard programs, for example “Kanjin-cho” or The List of Contributors, “Sukeroku yukari-no edo-sakura” or "Sukeroku the Dandy", and so on. “Shiranami go-nin Otoko” or "The Five Dandies from the Underworld" is one of the most popular programs; it will be performed in the Misonoza Theater sometime. You can enjoy this interesting story with dynamic theatrical features, and a characteristic performance. 

It can be said that the history of Kabuki is the history of individual Kabuki actors. In the Edo era, the status Kabuki actors were so ironically low that they were not permitted to have family names. Under this situation, Kabuki actors adopted stage names and created closed societies based on them, and progressed their own skill of performing art.  Even now these skills have been maintained for posterity as each group’s special performance. An actor who belongs to a performance group shows that group’s particular performance adding his own character.

Each Kabuki actors has his own special skill and appeal, so one of big pleasures is to find your own favorite performers.

I recommend you to watch Kabuki once. I promise that everybody can enjoy it in various ways.

An image drawing of “Benten-Kozou” who is one of main characters in “Siranami go-nin otoko” or The Five Dandies from the Underworld.

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~Information~

 
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At the Misonoza Theater, you can buy a special booklet for this fall's performances.
There are also explanations in English. It’s helpful for foreigners.

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There is a special event called “Kojo” or "the ceremony of bestowing a new stage name".  This special event is unique in Kabuki performances and is held sometime.

 Kabuki actors sometime change their stage name, especially if they have a chance to change to a eminent name of a past great actor. A great name may be given only to a gifted actor.

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For details of a season performance at the Misonoza Theater, please check out the Misonoza Theater's home page at www.misonoza.co.jp .